Central Valley High School hosted its second annual Powder Puff flag football game on Thursday, Oct. 16 at Hawk Field.
The seniors scored late in the fourth quarter and escaped with a 20-14 victory over the juniors in a highly-entertaining contest.
"It was so intense," senior quarterback Julie Calderon said. "It felt like we were playing Ceres High. Everyone's enthusiasm was high."
Calderon had two rushing touchdowns in the second half, including what proved to be the game-winning score.
Senior running back Jayme Sprague had one TD.
Anabel Vazquez, Valerie Uti and Jasveen Brar led the juniors.
Vazquez accumulated more than 100 yards and scored twice.
Uti had one passing TD.
Jasveen added 75 rushing yards and a 2-point conversion.
Sprague broke a scoreless tie with a 28-yard TD run in the first quarter.
Vazquez rumbled 40 yards for a score and turned a short catch into a 60-yard TD to give the juniors a 14-6 lead at intermission.
The seniors cut the deficit to two at 14-12 in the third quarter. Calderon raced around the right side for a 21-yard score.
"I saw an opening and I went for it," she said. "I literally dove for the TD."
Julie's 9-yard scamper up the middle and 2-point conversion put the seniors ahead 20-14 with 1:15 to play.
"It was so exhilarating," said Calderon, a standout guard on the girls hoops team. "It felt like the last shot of a basketball game."
The juniors were driving with time running out. Uti's final pass fell incomplete inside the 20-yard line, sparking a wild celebration.
A sea of green-clad seniors flooded the field and performed their class cheer.
"We had to win," Calderon said. "It's a ritual for the seniors. I'm so happy."
Said Vazquez: "I wish we could have been celebrating like that. The seniors got lucky."
The seniors scored late in the fourth quarter and escaped with a 20-14 victory over the juniors in a highly-entertaining contest.
"It was so intense," senior quarterback Julie Calderon said. "It felt like we were playing Ceres High. Everyone's enthusiasm was high."
Calderon had two rushing touchdowns in the second half, including what proved to be the game-winning score.
Senior running back Jayme Sprague had one TD.
Anabel Vazquez, Valerie Uti and Jasveen Brar led the juniors.
Vazquez accumulated more than 100 yards and scored twice.
Uti had one passing TD.
Jasveen added 75 rushing yards and a 2-point conversion.
Sprague broke a scoreless tie with a 28-yard TD run in the first quarter.
Vazquez rumbled 40 yards for a score and turned a short catch into a 60-yard TD to give the juniors a 14-6 lead at intermission.
The seniors cut the deficit to two at 14-12 in the third quarter. Calderon raced around the right side for a 21-yard score.
"I saw an opening and I went for it," she said. "I literally dove for the TD."
Julie's 9-yard scamper up the middle and 2-point conversion put the seniors ahead 20-14 with 1:15 to play.
"It was so exhilarating," said Calderon, a standout guard on the girls hoops team. "It felt like the last shot of a basketball game."
The juniors were driving with time running out. Uti's final pass fell incomplete inside the 20-yard line, sparking a wild celebration.
A sea of green-clad seniors flooded the field and performed their class cheer.
"We had to win," Calderon said. "It's a ritual for the seniors. I'm so happy."
Said Vazquez: "I wish we could have been celebrating like that. The seniors got lucky."
